Scales of Justice: How the National Labor Relations Board Weighs the Law, Workers, and Employers
The National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency that enforces the National Labor Relations Act and protects the rights of employees and employers - its mission is important now more than ever. The hottest workplace cases are on their docket and decisions made by the board have a profound impact on the workplace. Hear directly from NLRB members and NLRB General Counsel about how they enforce labor law and what HR professionals should know about the NRLB to better protect workers and employers.
Gwynne A. Wilcox
Ms. Wilcox was nominated by President Biden on May 27, 2021 and confirmed by the Senate on July 28, 2021. Her term will last until August 2023.
Most recently, Ms. Wilcox worked as a senior partner at Levy Ratner, P.C., a New York City labor and employment law firm. There, she served as Associate General Counsel of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and as a labor representative to the NYC Office of Collective Bargaining. Prior to joining Levy Ratner, Wilcox worked as a Field Attorney at Region 2 of the National Labor Relations Board in New York City. Wilcox has a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law-Newark and a B.A. from Syracuse University.
Jennifer A. Abruzzo
The General Counsel, appointed by the President to a 4-year term, is independent from the Board and is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of unfair labor practice cases and for the general supervision of the NLRB field offices in the processing of cases.
On July 22, 2021, Jennifer A. Abruzzo began serving as General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board. Ms. Abruzzo had previously worked for the NLRB for over two decades, including as Field Attorney, Supervisory Field Attorney, Deputy Regional Attorney, Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Acting General Counsel. Immediately prior to her appointment as General Counsel, Ms. Abruzzo served as Special Counsel for Strategic Initiatives for the Communications Workers of America.
John F. Ring
John F. Ring was sworn in as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board on April 16, 2018 for a term ending on December 16, 2022. Mr.Ring was confirmed by the Senate on April 11, 2018, and he was named Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board on April 12, 2018 by President Donald J. Trump. Mr. Ring served as Board Chairman until January 20, 2021 and currently serves as a Board Member.
Prior to his appointment to the NLRB, Mr. Ring was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of the Morgan, Lewis & Bockius law firm. He was with Morgan Lewis for almost 30 years, where he served as co-chair of the firm’s Labor / Management Relations practice and Practice Group Leader for the Washington Office Labor and Employment Law Practice. He represented client interests in all aspects of labor law, including collective bargaining, workforce restructuring, employee benefits, labor‐management related counseling, litigation and litigation avoidance strategies. Mr. Ring has an extensive background negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements most notably in the multi‐employer bargaining context, as well as experience with multi‐employer pension plans. Mr. Ring received his J.D. and B.A. from Catholic University of America.
Board Member Ring is a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.
James Banks
James L. "Jim" Banks serves as SHRM's General Counsel, managing SHRM's legal functions, overseeing the work of outside counsel, and serving as key lawyer and legal advisor on major business transactions.
Previously, Banks served as City Attorney to the City of Alexandria, Va., representing and advising the mayor, city council, city manager and city departments on a variety of legal matters. He was previously a partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP and McGuireWoods LLP, where he focused on employment litigation.
Banks began his legal career in Richmond, Va., and he practiced law in the private and public sectors, including serving as both prosecutor and judge. He has a broad background in legal ethics and spent over 10 years in the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary system, ultimately serving as Chair of the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board. He was an instructor for the Virginia State Bar Professionalism Course and has taught frequently on topics of ethics and professionalism. He is also an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech in the Master of Public Administration program.
Banks is a veteran of the U.S. Army and Virginia Army National Guard and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia, a master's degree in Public Policy from Walden University and a bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College.